Karl F.
Cummings EE
21021 Vanowen Street, # G-103,
Woodland Hills CA, 91303
(347) 614-1033 / (310) 499-9830
Email: karl@iandicircuitworks.com
PERSONAL PROFILE
Passionate and thorough about Audio Engineering; the adherence to Q.A standards and a strong believer in the
swift implementation and integration of emerging & developing technologies into current circuit topologies.
Exhibits, expects and maintains high workplace and ethical standards; possess strong interpersonal and inter
departmental communications ability, due to having a solid command of the English language.
A confident self-starter; with highly skilled hands-on applications experience who’s very adaptive and can
effortlessly integrate new methodologies to supplement and enhance current standards and processes.
* Member of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) – Status current
* Member (MAA) Mathematical association of America – Status dormant
* Advanced knowledge of AQL certification & standards, ISO -9001/9002.
* Advanced knowledge of CEA 2006-A/B standards and RoHS compliance.
Formal EDUCATION:
* DIPLOMA - December 1991 advanced troubleshooting technology
* DIPLOMA - October 1987 Advanced digital Electronics theory.
* Degree - February 1989 - Audio Engineering Design (BSEE)
Employment & EXPERIENCE:
• ENGINEERING CONSULTANT – Performance analysis, Structural analysis, Failure analysis and
implement modifications for overall improvements (Power amplifiers and Signal Processors)
(EPSILON Electronics Inc.) June 2001 – August 2007. 1550 South Maple avenue, Montebello, CA 90640.
My efforts here were focused on selecting new Suppliers, improving product performance, lowering percentage
(%) of returns, improving moral with Suppliers, conducting product familiarity (teaching) sessions with sales-team
members, developing strategies for reinserting SOUNDSTREAM into the high-end audio realm and assisting (by
way of technical analysis) in the decision making process of whether the acquisition of SOUNDSTREAM was a
good idea. 14 months after my engagement, sales of high powered amplifiers were increased by 5%; returns fell
by 1% and the acquisition of SOUNDSTREAM was established to be a sound venture but needed to refocus on
producing higher quality products in order to maintain the newly recaptured high-end Clientele.
My own (patent pending) QA test & analysis standards were extensively utilized to pre-qualify power
amplifiers & signal Processors and assess failure patterns.
Brands sold by this company are: SOUNDSTREAM, Power Acoustik, SPL, Kole Audio and Farenheit
CHIEF ENGINEER & Technical CONSULTANT – Performance analysis, Materials analysis, Failure
analysis, Production analysis (Audio & Video)
(AVA Enterprises) Feb. 1999 – June 2001. 20450 Plummer Street, Chatsworth CA, 91311
I was recruited from New York to advise the Principals in all aspects of starting a new high-end car audio
company especially in setting up an assembly line facility capable of producing high quality car audio amplifiers.
So from selecting the Manufacturing facility to setting daily (SKD) production schedules, to test station setup and
design, BOM costs management reporting, generating quarterly factory reports of systemic maladies; to the
marketing aspects; where I would lead the discussions on the feasibility of including certain product features and
the advantages of doing that; were all part of my charge. PLANET AUDIO was successfully launched in summer
of 1999 and by 2001, had quickly established a reputation for high quality and fair pricing.
My own (patent pending) QA test & analysis standards were extensively utilized to pre-qualify power
amplifiers & signal Processors and predict failure.
Brands sold by this company include: PLANET AUDIO, BOSS AUDIO and SOUNDSTORM.
AUDIO ENGINEER and Technical Supervisor – Testing, Modifications & Repairs
(SOUND AROUND ELECTRONICS Inc.) Oct. 1995 – Jan. 1999. 1600 63rd Street, Brooklyn, NY 11204
My task here at this time (my second stint) was two-fold; help the owners to establish whether acquiring CRUNCH
was a good idea and reduce the amount of PYRAMID returns. I began by suggesting product improvements
which would result in a disproportional increase in performance versus cost (ratios). I then sat-about my second
task; and for this, I designed a very unique test & analysis system which allowed for speedy assessment of
the CRUNCH PCB platform; it’s weaknesses, areas which needed improvements and a cost approximation
analysis for doing those improvements. This is information the Principals would later use to determine whether the
investment was indeed a sound venture.
The system(s) I designed were credited with reducing returns by 1.5%, improving customer satisfaction; and not
only solidifying that the acquisition of CRUNCH was indeed a sound venture but also credited with reasserting the
failed brand’s reputation for high quality and great performance.
The acquisition of CRUNCH by PYRAMUID is still talked about today as probably one of car audio’s biggest turn-
around at the time and I am proud to have been instrumental in the process.
Brand names sold by this outfit include: PYLE, LANZAR, LEGACY and PYRAMID.
• PRODUCT MANAGER / Engineer – Testing & Evaluation, Technical writing
(AMBASSADOR ELECTRONICS) March 1993 – October 1994. Piscataway NJ
This was a short stint. My job description entailed a significantly varied set of tasks (too numerous to mention); but
that was because the company couldn’t afford a full staff – my contributions were credited with restoring
functionality and solvency to the outfit; to the extent that it was not difficult to sell the company in October of 1994.
Brand names sold by this outfit included: Ambassador electronics and Opal Car Audio.
ELECTRONIC SERVICE TECHNICIAN – Electronic repairs, Modifications & Testing
(SOUND AROUND ELECTRONICS Inc.) jun. 1984 – Dec. 1993. 1600 63rd Street, Brooklyn, NY 11204
SOUND AROUND ELECTRONICS dba Pyramid Sound Corporation is a major wholesaler of consumer electronic
goods; Home audio, Car audio and Disc Jockey / Sound reinforcement equipment.
I was hired in June of 1984 to be one of six repair Technicians responsible for the servicing of returned goods, but
quickly discovered that my interests and abilities extended to other areas as well, and in November of 1987, was
promoted to ‘assistant test & evaluation Technician’.
The new position involved working closely with the Service department to document failure patterns, examine
possible causes and suggest corrective measures to the Production house/s. Not long after that, I suggested that
we establish a “technical assistance hotline”; there was broad agreement and PYRAMID SOUND CORP.
became the first company of it’s type to setup a dedicated toll-free customer service number and I; the first
Technician to have such an undertaking. The system immediately reduced returns by more than 0.75% and saved
the company a lot of money.
Brand names sold by this outfit include: PYLE, LANZAR, LEGACY and PYRAMID.
SUMMATION:
My experiences range from component level PCB repairs to proprietary Circuit designs & development and
encompasses everything in between. I am an INVENTOR; an IEEE registered Engineer (08895054) and because
of my expertise, was chosen by the respective companies to be in place when some very important decisions
were to be made: PYRAMID acquisition of LANZAR (circa 1991); PYRAMID acquisition of CRUNCH (circa 1994)
and POWER ACOUSTIK acquisition of SOUNDSTREAM (circa 2001) and BOSS AUDIO starting PLANET
AUDIO (circa 1999).
Reference websites: (1) http://iandicircuitworks.com; (2) http://kaibrand.com;
(3) http://insidetech-support.com
